Rotary-engine.



PATBNTED FEB. 19, 1907.

J. G. SIMMONS. ROTARY ENGINE. APPLIOATION FILED SEPT 9 1905 6SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No. 844,758. PATENTED FEB. 19, 1907.

J. G. SIMMONS. ROTARY ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED BEPT.9,1905.

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No. 844,758. PATENTED FEB. 19, 1907.

J. 0. SIMMONS. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1905.

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PATENTED FEB v19, 1907.

J. G. SIMMONS.

ROTARY ENGINE APPLIOATION FILED sar -.9. 1905.

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PATENTEI) FEB. 19, 1907.

J. C. SIMMONS. ROTARY ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT.9,1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

JESSEC. SIMMONS, OF SHELBY, MICHIGAN,

ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES L. CHURCHILL, OF SHELBY, MICHIGAN.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19, 1907.

Application filed September 9, 1905. Serial No. 277,660.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Jnssn C. SIMMONS, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city of Shelby, in the county of Occana and Stateof Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in RotaryEngines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in engines, and more particularlyto rotary engines.

I'lerctzfore the construction of rotary engines has been such that theresistance to rotation caused by the centrifugal tendency of certainmoving parts has acted as a brake, and in many instances the efficiencyhas been seriously affected thereby. Furthermore, the valve constructionof such engines is usually more or less complicated and. the numerousparts must be timed to the rotation of the revolving element of theengine and in consequence unnecessary power is consumed thereby.

The object of this invention is to provide a rotary engine in which theixltatiin of the revolving element is perfsrniet'l with minimumresistance and in which the steam is taken alternately on opposite sidesthereof.

It is also an object of the invention to afford a construction in whichan. exceedingly simple and autnnatically-operating valve is provided,otatable with the head, and whereby the inlet and exhaust from thepressure-chamber is regulated with the least possible expenditure ofpower.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cheap, simple, andextrcnielypowcrful and durable engine consisting of but few parts andthose of such construction as not likely to get out of repair and inwhich the whole construction is of such a simple and direct-actingcharacter as to enable the device to be operated by one without previousengineering experience.

The invention consists in the matters here inafter described, and morefully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of a device embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I f Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 4is an end elevation with the head of the steamchest removed and exposingthe re tary valve. Fig. 5 is an enlarged f 'aginentary detail taken online 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail taken online 6 6 of 1g. 2 1* 1g. 7 is a section taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 2.Fig. 8 is a section taken on hne 8 S of Fig. 2 and showing theexhaustchamber.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective View of one of the reciprocatingabutment-s. Fig. 10 is a vertical section thereof. Fig. 11 is atransverse section of the same. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the revolvingdisk or head, showing the reciprocating heads or abutment there in. Fig.13 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the revolving head, illustratingthe roller-bearings for the reciprocating abutment. Fig. 14 is a sectiontaken on line 14 14 of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a somewhat diagrammatic viewillustrating the travel of the abutincnts. Fig. 16 is a development ofthe steam and pressure cylinders.

As shown in said drawings, A and A indi cate the cylinder-heads, whichare peripherally flanged and the flanges of which are fitted together toafford a ground joint, as shown in Fig. 2, and between which is providedan arm. lar steain-chaniber arranged obliqlely with the plane of therevolving element. Extending centrally throi gh the cylinder is a shaftB, on which is seci red the elongated lu.b B of the rotating head Bwhich, as shown, is CIIG. lar and of a diameter eq al to the diameter ofthe steam-chamber. Said pressi re or steam chamber is shaped, as shownin Figs. 2, 5, 7, S, and 15, to ailord a pl" rality of presspre-chamherson opposite sides of the shaft and on opposite sides of the rotatinghead, or, in other words, the steamchamher as a whole extends obliqi elyaro'. nd' the shaft with respect to the plane of rotation of therevolnble head B iLlILS affording a plLrality of press'ure-chamb ers onalternate sides of the head.

As shown, abutments B, B", and B are carried by said head B andreciprocate in slots in the periphery thereof to project into alternatepressLre chambers on opposite sides of the head. As shown, each of saidab; tments is of the same with a longiti dinal rib b, which fits in acon'ipleniental groove in the head B and, as shown, rollers b b 1), andif provided centrally on each side' are provided on each side of saidhead adjacent the abutment-slots and two of which are at each side ofthe same. These afi'ord roller-bearings for the abutments and permit thesame press;re-chambers.

to slide freely through said slots to project alternately into thepressure-chambers on either side of the same and, together with the ribson said abutments and the grooves in the head, act to hold the abutmentsat all times firmly from any other movement. Said abutments are packedto afford steam-tight joints at all fo:.- r walls of the feedchamber. Asshown in Figs. 9 to 15, inclusive, a strip of acking b is secured oneach side of each abutment and is provided with a central in-"vvardly-directed web b which projects into the side of the abutment.Said packingstrips are notched at their edges, attording serrations onthe abutment and which act to hold said packing b in operative position,while springs b engage in the central webs b and act to hold the packingfirmly against the outer walls of the steam-chamber. Said packing-stripsb at their ends are provided with semicircular seats, as shown in Fig.9, and s1 pported thereon and resting in semicircular grooves in the endof the abntment are rounded packing-strips b and, as shown, a web bar bis seated in a longitrdinal groove l provided at each end of said hub,

in each end of each ab'etment and bearsagainst the inner side of thepacking-strips b and is held firmly in contact thereagainst by means ofsprings b, tllLS affording a rolling bearing for said strips at the endsof each abutment where it bears against the cylinder head of the engine.

As shown, the heads A and A are cored to provide indzction and eXha' stports and passages leading thereto and therefrom, and, as shown, thehead A is provided on its inner side with a cored passage a, which leadsfrom the ind;ctionport (1;, opening into the pres sure-chamber X, andalong the side of said head and COIIlIIli' I1lG&t6S with a correspondingpassage a in the head A, which opens from the inlet-port 0c in saidhead, which opens into the steam-chest. Acorresponding inlet-port x isprovided diametrically opposite the inlet-port 0c and on the oppositeside of the revolving head 13' and opens into the pressure-chamber X inthe cylinder-head A. A passage a leads from said port to a port 00 whichopens throi' gh the o1 ter face of the cylinder-head A into thesteam-chest diametrically opposite the port 00.

Rigidly see red on the hub B of the revolving head l3 and atiording agro" nd joint with the o' ter face of the cylinder-head A is avalve-disk D, provided, as shown, with three inlet-apert' restherethrotgh, which are arranged eqial distances apart and near theperiphery to register with the ports 90 and 03 thro' gh thecylinder-head A. Said apertires are of a width corresponding with theradial length of the inlet-ports and of a length l versely of saidrotating to permit inlet of the pressure fliiid against the abutmentclosely in advance thereof for nearly the entire length of therespective The pressure inlet or supply pipe 01 opens into thesteam-chest formed in the head A bolted to the cylinder head A andchambered to contain the valvedisk D. i

Exhaust-ports d (1 open from the end of movenlent of the abutnients. Theport d opens from the chamber X into a chamber (1 in the cylinder-head Aand from which opens an exhaust-pipe d. The exhaust-port on the oppositeof the enginenarr..ely, the ort d in the head Adischarges directly intothe exhaust-pipe d, communicating through said head. Said exhaust-pipesmay be con nected, if desired, in a single pipe or may dis charge to theatmosphere independently, as preferred.

Any suitable packing for the rotating head B may be employed. As shown,an annular strip of packing d is provided about the hub of the rotatinghead B and a gland (i is as shown in Fig. 2, thus preventing any escapeof the pressure fluid except through the exhaustports. As shown, a pipeG, provided with a valve g, connects the induction or supply pipe withinlet-passages a, a, and a below the valve-disk D and perniitsadniission ofthe to the pressure-chambers indepressure fluid pendentlyof said valve-disk.

'lhe operation is as follows: In starting the engine the pressure fluidis adniitted through the induction-pipe to the steamchest. .If the portsare both closed by the position of the'valvedisk D, as niay son..e timesoccur, the valve 9 in the pipe G is opened, adiritting pressure to oneor both pressure-chambers and starting the engine. 'lhe valve 9 1r aythenloe closed, and the steam or other pressure fluid will be adir.itted regularly and alternately through the oppositelydisposed ports 0003 into the respective pressure-chamlt ers against the abutnients andthe head B As the head B rotates, the abutnients B B, and B reciprocatetranshead B first into the pressure-chamber X on one side of the headand then intothe pressure-chamher X at the opposite side thereof, takingpressure alternately on opposite sides of the head at diametricallyopposite points, and inasmuch as there are three of said abutnientsslidahly carried on the revolving head, two of these are at all tin. essubjected to pressure either direct or expansively. Said valve-portsthrough said valve-disk D are of such size and so arranged as to cut offthe steam-supply after having filled the pressure-chamber behind oneabutn' ent just tefore another receives direct pressure. 'Ihus forapartof the travel of each abutrnent the steam is acting eachpressure-chamber in advance of the directly on the abutment by impactand for a portion of its travel is acting by expansion to drive theshaft. Inasnuch as said abutments are journaled to slide transversely ofthe head B on roller-bearings it is obvious that but slight friction canoccur, and, furthermore, inasmuch as the ports are arranged at thepoints Where the abutments starts to move transversely of the head thepressure is relieved from the abutnients approxiir ately at the momentthe transverse ILOVGll'BIll] begins and is not again applied untilinlet-pressure is received on the opposite side of the rotating head. Inthis 11 anner the abutments reciprocate back and forward in thesteam-chamber in one and then the other pressure-chamber thereof withbut slight friction and, being carefully packed, with practically noloss of power.

Ooviously While I have shown a rotary valve-disk on the shaft it isobvious that other valves may be employed, if desired,

and that any suitable inlet or exhaust ports may be en ployed. Itherefore do not purpose liniiting this application for patent otherwisethan necessitated by the prior art, as many details of the constructionand arrange1r ent n' aybe varied without departing from the principlesof my invention.

I claim as my invention-- 1. A rotary engine comprising a steamchamber,a rotating head therein dividing said chamber into pressure-chambers oneon each side of said revolving head, an abutment tting in thesteam-chamber and carried by the revolving head and adapted to receivepressure alternately from said chamhers and a guide on each side thereofengaged in eomplemental grooves in said head.

2. A rotary engine comprising a steamchamber, a rotating head thereindividing said chamber into pressure-chambers one on each side of saidrevolving head, an abutment 'tting in the steam-chamber and carried onsaid head and adapted to reciprocate alternately into saidpressurechamber, a steamohest, ports opening therefrom into saidpressure-chamber and a disk valve adapted to control said ports.

3. A rotary engine comprising a steam chamber, a rotary head thereindividing said chamber into pressure-chambers one on each side of saidrevoluble head, a transverselymcvable abutment engaged to said head andadapted to project alternately in said pressure-chambers, a disk valverotatable with said revolving head having apertures therethrough adaptedto regulate the admission of pressure.

4. In a rotating engine a revolving circular head, pressure-chambers onopposite sides thereof, one or more abutments carried near the peripheryof said revolving head and slidable transversely thereof into saidpressure-chambers, inlet and exhaust ports for 1 said pressure-chambers,and an apertured disk valve rotatable with the rotating head and actingto admit pressure to the pressurechambers alternately 5. In a rotaryengine, a revolving head, a pressure-chamber on each side thereof, adisk valve movable with the head, acting to admit pressure to thechambers alternately, reciprocating abutments on said head alternatelyprojecting into said pressure-chambers and a packing-strip rotativelyengaged in a groove in each end of said abutments.

6. In an engine of the class described, a rotating head, abutmentsthereon at the periphery thereof and slidably engaged therewith andadapted to reciprocate parallel with the engine-shaft and guides on saidabutmonts adapted to seat in eomplemental grooves in said head.

7. In an engine of the class described, a rotating head, abutmentsthereon at the peiphery thereof and slidably engaged therewith andadapted to reciprocate parallel with the engine-shaft, a semicylindriepacking rotatively engaged in each end of said abut ments andantifrietion-bearings for said abutments.

8. An engine of the class described, arevolving head, one or moreabutments slidably carried at the periphery thereof and adapted toreciprocate to project alternately beyond opposite faces of the disk,antifrictionrollers journaled in the head adapted to en gage on eachside of said abutments and rotative packing means seated in the ends ofsaid abutments.

9. In an engine of the class described, a revolving head, one or moreabutments slidably carried thereon at or near the periphery thereof,roller-bearings for said abutments, packing means between the head andthe abutments and a rolling packing at each end of each abutment;

10. In an engine of the class described, a cylinder, a rotative headtherein, abutments adapted to project on each side of the headalternately and a rotative disk valve admitting pressure alternatelyinto opposite ends of the cylinder.

11. In a device of the Cl? ss described, a 1'0- tating head, an annularSfGtLlll-Cllfilll;G1 surrounding the periphery thereof and :1 rrtingedobliquely with the plane of rotation thereof, abutirents carried new theperiphery of the rotatable head and slidziltle alternately into thepressure-charnlers afforded on each side of said head, pitchingnieztns'between the abutments and the head and a rotative disk valvecontrolling the steam-inlet to the pressure-chambers.

12. In a device of the cltss described, a rotating head, a rnnulerstean-chenlter surrounding the periphery thereof 5 nd E rrt ngedobliquely with the plane of rottticn thereof, abutments carried near theperiphery of the IIO rotatable head and slidable alternately into thepressure-chambers afforded on each side of said head, packing meansbetween the abutments and the head and a rotary disk valve havingapertures therethrough adapted to control the steam-inlet to thepressurechambers.

13. In a device of the class described, a cylinder comprising asteam-chamber arranged to afford a plurality of pressure-chambersalternately arranged on opposite sides of a central plane and a rotarydisk valve having apertures therethrough adapted to register withapertures in the side of said cylinder.

14. A rotary engine comprising a chamber, a head rotatable therein anddividing said chamber into a plurality of pressurechambers,transversely-reciproeating means in said head adapted to alternatelyproject into said pressure-chambers and receive the pressure forrotating said head, means revoluble with said head adapted to admitpressure into said chambers and means for admitting pressure into saidchambers independently of the aforesaid means.

15. in a device of the class described a steam-cylinder affording aplurality of pressure-chambers obliquely arranged on opposite sides of acentral plane, a rotating head between said chambers, a plurality ofabutments thereon and slidable alternately into the pressure-chamber oneach side thereof, antifriction-bearings for said abutments and a diskvalve on the side of the cylinder and rotative with said head.

16. In a device of the class described a steam-cylinder affording aplurality of pressure-chambers obliquely arranged on oppo site sides ofa central plane, a rotating head between said chambers, a plurality ofabutments thereon and slidable alternately into the pressure-chamber oneach side thereof, guides on said head and abutments acting to hold thelatter in operative position and anti friction-bearings for saidabutments.

17. In an engine of the class described the combination with'a rotatinghead of a plurality of abutments carried thereon and slidabletransversely of the plane thereof at its periphery, guides thereonengaging the head and antifriction-bearings between said abutment andthe head.

18. In a device of the class described the combination with the shaft ofthe head rigidly secured thereon and rotative therewith, abutmentsengaged on the head to slide transversely thereof at the periphery, asteamchamber divided into pressure-chaml: ers by the rotating head, oneon each side of the head and oppositely disposed to the other, inlet-andexhaust ports opening into and from the pressure-chambers, a disk valverigidly secured on said shaft, and provided with apertures arranged outof alinement transversely thereof at the periphery, a-

steam-chamber divided into pressure-chambers by the rotating head one oneach side of the head and oppositely disposed to the other, inlet andexhaust ports opening into and from the pressure-chambers, a disk valverigidly secured on said shaft, provided with apertures arranged out ofalinement with the abutments on said head and adapted to control theinlet-ports and an auxiliary pressure-pipe connected in the inlet-pipeand opening into one or both pressure-chambers.

20. In a steam-engine having therein an annular steam-chamber obliquelyarranged therein, a rotating head carried on the shaft and dividing thesteam-chamber into oppositely-disposed steam-chambers, one on each sideof said head, oppositely-disposed inletports communicating with therespective pressure-chambers opening through one of the heads of saidcylinder on diametrically opposite sides thereof and a valve diskrigidly secured on the shaft and having apertures the-rein adapted toalternately open and close said ports as the disk revolves.

21. A rotary engine comprising a steamchamber, a rotatable head thereindividing said steam-chamber into oppositely-disposed pressure chambers,transversely movable abutments engaged to said head, a shaft driven bysaid head, a steam-chest, ports opening therefrom into saidpressure-chambers and an apertured disk valve rigidly enga ged on saidshaft and adapted to rotate in said steam-chest to control said ports.

22. In a rotary engine the combination with a steam-chamber of arotatable head therein dividing said chamber into oppositely disposedpressure chambers, abutments slidably engaged in said head and adaptedto receive pressure alternately from said pressure-chamber, asteam-chest, ports opening therefrom into said pressure-chambers,arotative disk valve in said steam-chest adapted to open and to closesaid ports and means for admitting steam into the pressurechambersindependently of said valve in starting the engine.

23. A rotary engine comprising a steamchamber, a head revoluble thereinhavinga plurality of slots therethrough, rollers on said head adjacentsaid slots, grooves adja-- cent said slots, an abutment slidable in saidslots and having guides adapted to engage said grooves and preventingsaid abutments from removal from said head.

.24. A rotary engine comprising a steamchamber, a head therein anddividing said chamber into a plurality of pressure-chambers, a groovedslot in said head, a transl alternately project into saidpressure-cham-Versely-slidable abutment therein, packing I bers, packing members onsaid abutments means on said abutment, means for holding l and means forholding the same in yielding 15 said packing means in close contact withthe 1 engagement with the walls of said chambers. chamber-walls andantl'frlction-bearmgs 1n in testimony whereof I have hereunto subcontactWith sald abutment.

scribed my name in the presence of two sub- 25. In a device of the classdescribed the scribing witnesses. combination with a steam-chamber of aw T head therein, a plurality of grooved slots in JESSE SIMMOLS' saidhead, rollers journaled adjacent each slot, abutments engaged in saidslots and slidable transversely thereof and adapted to WVitnesses:

MAMIE CHURCHILL. INEZ WHITNEY.

